Copyrighting Your music
(Forms below)

1) What is copyrighting?

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]

copyright\Cop"y*right\, n.
The right of an author or his assignee, under statute, to print and publish his literary or artistic work, exclusively of all other persons. This right may be had in maps, charts, engravings, plays, and musical compositions, as well as in books.
Note: In the United States a copyright runs for the term of twenty-eight years, with right of renewal for fourteen years on certain conditions.

2) Why should I copyright my music?

If you want to be sure that no one else can use your song (recording, airplay, etc.) without authorization, then you must copyright your work.

3) What can happen without copyright protection?

Anyone can claim the rights to your creation. If you go to court without copyright protection, it is your responsibility to prove when you wrote the song and that you in fact are the author.

4) What is the difference between copyrighting and publishing music?

Copyrighting a work simply grants exclusive rights to the author to reap any benefits from the publishing of the work by any party. A song is considered published when it meets the following requirements:

1) Your song has been recorded and aired on a radio or television station.
2) Your material has been printed and prepared to be sold.
3) Your song is recorded and ready for the retail market.

There is a pervasive myth out there that may lead you to believe that you can copyright your music using a shortcut method!

Here is the myth:

"Make a copy of the song and mail it to yourself. Take it to the post office by hand and ask the clerk to postmark it over the seal on the back. That way you have a sealed, dated item by a government official."

Result: No copyright, will not stand up in court.

How can I get my music copywritten correctly?

1. Choose the proper form. (below)

2. Complete the form

3. Send it in with the appropriate fee

4. Proof of copyright

Choose the proper form

For published or unpublished: FORM SR

File this form if you are seeking to register the "sound recording" itself, that is the work that results from the fixation of a series of musical, spoken, or other sounds, but not the underlying musical or dramatic work or if you are the copyright claiming for both the underlying musical work and the wound recording. You can register both on the same form.

For published or unpublished works of the performing arts: FORM PA

File this form if you are seeking to register the musical or dramatic work, and not the "sound recording", even though what you deposit for copyright purposes may be in the form of a recording.

Get the forms

From the Copyright Office

The Library of Congress Copyright office in Washington D.C. will send you a packet on copyrighting procedures upon request.

The Library of Congress Copyright Office

101 Independence Ave., S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20559-6000

Complete the Form - Tips

The two(2) form types above do have versions containing line by line instructions.
Please write legibly. They now scan the form images for easy retrieval.
If you have multiple songs, you can save time and money by copyrighting them all as a "musical work". This work can include multiple titles.
Use black ink

Send In Completed Form With Fee

Mail to this address

Library of Congress

101 Independence Avenue S. E.

Washington, DC 20559-6000

Phone: (202) 707-3000

Voice Mail: (202) 707-9100

Proof of Copyright

Your copyright is effective the same day that your completed form is received from the copyright office, provided that everything is filled in correctly. They will return incorrectly filled out forms to you. It takes about five(5) months to actually receive your copyright registration certificate for your work/song.

Return to top of this page and continue the online Audio / Video Piano Lessons Demonstration